Purdue volleyball: Media day notes

It seems to be a regular occurrence prior to Purdue volleyball season that I ask about "taking the next step." I don't have to say Final Four because with a stretch of Sweet 16 and Elite Eight banners stretching from one side of the Belin Court playing floor to the other, it's evident that the Boilermakers have routinely been among the few fortunate enough to regularly make the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.

On Tuesday at Purdue volleyball's media day, I tried to avoid the phrase altogether (I almost did) because this unit is younger, perhaps more talented, and certainly newsworthy on day four of practice for reasons other than what it may or may not accomplish four months from now.

Here's five things coming out of Holloway Gymnasium:

No. 8

Purdue will enter the season ranked eighth as the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll was released this week.

It is both a reflection of last year's senior-led squad that made the Elite Eight and of sustained success. This year's team knows it's talented enough to be among the best, but also is aware it has yet to prove itself worthy of that ranking.

"Being ranked among the top eight kind of lights a fire under us because it's a reflection of last year's team. We have a lot of great players here and a lot of great players returning," senior Val Nichol said. "We keep the goal of being in the Final Four and winning the Big Ten. Our goals are always high and we're going to work hard towards them."

So fresh

Last year, Purdue had a large senior class. This season, the Boilermakers will be a freshman-heavy squad.

Head coach Dave Shondell and assistants John Shondell and Kathy Jewell pulled in the No. 3-ranked class in the country that includes probably the best two players from Indiana last year in Azariah Stahl and Danielle Cuttino. In all, there's seven newcomers and redshirt freshman Ashley Evans makes eight rookies.

"I feel like all our personalities match and we mesh really well," said Carissa Damler, a freshman defensive specialist from Brownsburg.

Now the real question is, how many of these girls redshirt and become part of next year's freshman class?

The letter D

As in defense, as in Danielle (Cuttino), as in (Lydia) Dimke, as in (Carissa) Damler, as in (Annie) Drews.

Cuttino and Drews are the tallest players on the Boilermaker roster, both at 6-feet, 4-inches. They'll be tough to hit over. Cuttino played for the junior national team. However, the obstacle may be finding a spot for the former Ben Davis athletic monster.

With veterans KiKi Jones, Faye Adelaja and a (hopefully) healthy Kaisley Fisher back, Cuttino has catching up to do as far as footwork, pace of the game and trying to process a lot of information in a short period of time. Shondell has a simple solution for the time being.

"Sometimes, you are almost better off not trying to give her too much information and just say, 'Hey, Danielle, go out there and block somebody,'" Shondell said. "She can figure it out."

Dimke and Damler are a part of the new crop which you'll read more about later this week.

Role reversal

It's strange for redshirt sophomore Kate Workman to consider herself as one of Purdue's veteran leaders.

Two years ago, the Valparaiso native redshirted. Last season, she played in just 12 matches and 23 total sets. Now she's being asked by newcomers for advice.

"It's exciting to be in a leadership position even though I am technically a redshirt sophomore," Workman said. "It's a lot easier to be comfortable with what is going on on the court and off the court when people are asking you what's going on."

Adapted Ambrose

Another of the highly-touted freshmen, Christian Ambrose, was one of two newcomers who enrolled during the second semester last season. For Ambrose, who is from Winter Park, Fla., where winter is unlike anything in Indiana, the early move was much needed.

"Being from Florida, the weather was hard to handle at first, but I thought it was great getting to bond with the girls," Ambrose said. "I got to know the practice schedule and the routine and how they do things here and also to get a few of the classes out of the way."